Five things to watch: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

December 6, 2013

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

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5. Emotions will run high

While Sunday's rivalry game may not seem like as big of a deal after the Seahawks destroyed the Saints on Monday, don't let fellow fans' overconfidence fool you. A lot is riding on Sunday's matchup -- not just for the NFC West and the playoffs, but for continuing bragging rights in what some consider the NFL's biggest current rivalry. After getting blown out the past two times they faced the Hawks, the 49ers will be looking for revenge.

There are your familiar storylines: Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh don't like each other; Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman and receiver Doug Baldwin played under Harbaugh at Stanford; the Hawks and Niners have been swapping players all season. There's a lot of animosity between these two teams. And, like it has for the past few years, it will likely show on the field Sunday.

The Seahawks haven't won in San Francisco since October 2008. They want nothing more than to break that losing streak. Of course, the Seahawks themselves would tell you they're approaching Sunday's game just like any other, but any divisional matchup is sure to draw out strong emotions and result in some chippiness on the gridiron. Seattle wants to make another big statement, and they'll try to use rowdy Candlestick Park as their stage on Sunday.

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

7of10

5. Emotions will run high

While Sunday's rivalry game may not seem like as big of a deal after the Seahawks destroyed the Saints on Monday, don't let fellow fans' overconfidence fool you. A lot is riding on Sunday's matchup -- not just for the NFC West and the playoffs, but for continuing bragging rights in what some consider the NFL's biggest current rivalry. After getting blown out the past two times they faced the Hawks, the 49ers will be looking for revenge.

There are your familiar storylines: Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh don't like each other; Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman and receiver Doug Baldwin played under Harbaugh at Stanford; the Hawks and Niners have been swapping players all season. There's a lot of animosity between these two teams. And, like it has for the past few years, it will likely show on the field Sunday.

The Seahawks haven't won in San Francisco since October 2008. They want nothing more than to break that losing streak. Of course, the Seahawks themselves would tell you they're approaching Sunday's game just like any other, but any divisional matchup is sure to draw out strong emotions and result in some chippiness on the gridiron. Seattle wants to make another big statement, and they'll try to use rowdy Candlestick Park as their stage on Sunday.